The club said chief executive Edward Woodward called Moyes on Monday to arrange a meeting as a matter of urgency.

But, it wasn't until late on Monday evening, after prolonged conversations with the club's American owners the Glazer family, that the axe fell.

The LMA said: "Throughout his time at United, David, as he always does, has conducted himself with integrity and professionalism, values that he believes in and that have been strongly associated with the club and its rich tradition.